The author's time in sports journalism was the inspiration behind "Play You For It."
What was your inspiration behind your most recent book?
"Play You For It" was inspired by my time in sports journalism while I was attending the University of Oregon. I worked for campus television and radio and interned for a local sports network — so it was a lot of time on the sidelines and in press boxes and just watching games in general.
I was also inspired by the real-life coach, Becky Hammon, who made history as the first woman to coach an NBA team with the San Antonio Spurs back in 2020. It was just for one game when Gregg Popovich got ejected and she had to step in. I remember thinking how cool it would be if Hammon coached the rest of the season, and the plot of "Play You for It" was born.
What does Reading Rainbow mean to you?
For me, Reading Rainbow means finding joy in stories that feel like home — stories that reflect my identity and honor the queer experiences that shape who we are.
Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?
I think it helps us feel less alone, for one. There’s an invisible sense of community that comes from reading a book that represents you or resonates with your experience — just knowing there are others out there connecting with it too. And when I read stories or characters that differ from my own, it reminds me that there’s no one way to be human. Books can build bridges and teach empathy, which is why I think representation is a must.
Tell us a little more about the book and why you decided to write it.
"Play You for It" is about two women who find love on the court – Jordan, the first woman to coach a men’s Division I basketball team, and Beck, the scrappy sports reporter determined to land an interview. The two quickly find they share undeniable chemistry but can’t act on it because reporters aren’t supposed to fall for sources.
I wanted to write this book because it was the romance I always wanted to read. It’s not just about two women finding love against the odds, but they’re also deeply ambitious. The story is definitely a romance, but it’s also about two people trying to find their place and succeed in male-dominated fields that weren’t always set up for them.
What can fans expect from your book?
Fans can expect plenty of basketball action, rainy Pacific Northwest winter nights, flirty games of one-on-one, tense media scrums, all the chaos of March Madness, and the rowdy but lovable supporting cast of a college basketball team.
What's up next for you in the bookish world?
My second sapphic sports romance, "Running Home to You," is coming out May 19, 2026. It’s more of a sweeping love story that follows two college softball players and their tumultuous relationship over a decade.
